Scarf Having Bifurcated End Portion

ABSTRACT

A scarf is provided with a bifurcated end portion having two arms which can be placed over and under another portion of the scarf so as to form a slot that retains the scarf on the wearer. Fastening means are provided on the ends of the arms to fasten them together.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a scarf worn about the neck of a personfor protecting the neck from cold weather. The scarf is of the typewhich is generally elongated in shape.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally elongated scarfs are well known. These scarfs are formed of asingle piece of fabric which may be wool, silk, cashmere, cotton,polyester and blends thereof. The scarfs are positioned around the neckof the wearer and two portions hang down along the chest of the weareron opposite sides of the neck. In order to keep the scarf from fallingoff, a user may tie a simple knot using the ends of the scarf. U.S. Pat.No. D 443,753S discloses the concept of locating an aperture in one ofthe side portions of the scarf to allow one end of the scarf to bepassed through the aperture to form a knot around the neck of the userto prevent the scarf from falling off. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,156 disclosesa one piece rectangular scarf that has a knot pleat in one dependingportion that can capture a portion of the second depending portion tosecure the scarf on the neck of the wearer while maintaining afashionable appearance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a scarf that is simple andinexpensive to manufacture that forms a slot at one end of the scarfthat can be used to capture another portion of the scarf to hold thescarf in place and maintain a fashionable appearance. The slot is formedby two bifurcated portions at a first end of the scarf. Ornamentalmaterial such as team logos and trademarks or other decorative materialmay be secured to the bifurcated portions so as to be visible when theends of the bifurcated portions are secured together to form the slotwhich receives the other portion of the scarf hanging on the oppositeside of the neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top view of the scarf according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the scarf according to the embodiment of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a view showing how the scarf may be placed over the neck ofthe wearer;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the bifurcated ends being secured together toform a slot that captures a remaining portion of the scarf; and

FIG. 5 is a view of the scarf in one possible final wearing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the scarf is formed of a generally elongatedrectangular piece of fabric, or it may consist of several pieces sewntogether. The scarf includes s first end portion 10, a middle portion 20and a second end portion 30. Suitable fabric for example would be wool,silk, cotton, cashmere, polyester and blends thereof. Second end portion30 includes two bifurcated arm portions 45 that can be movedindependently of each other. Near the end portions of the arms suitabledecoration material, team logos or other ornamental material 50 may beplaced. The ornamental material may be sewn on or it may be a patch thatcan be attached by a suitable means, for example Velcro or adhesive, ormay be an integral part of the scarf material.

FIG. 2 shows the opposite side of the scarf which has fastening devices60 secured to the underside of the bifurcated arms.

In use the wearer can position the portion of the scarf betweenapproximately one end 30 and the middle portion 20 around the back ofthe neck. Bifurcated end portion 30 would drape over one side of thechest while the portion between 20 and 10 would drape around an oppositeportion of the chest as shown in FIG. 3. The wearer would then grip theend portions of the bifurcated arms placing one over and one under theend portion anywhere between approximately 20 and 10 as shown in FIG. 4.The fastening means on the underside of the bifurcated arms will form aslot which captures the other portion of the scarf and secures the scarfaround the neck of the wearer as shown in FIG. 4. The ornamentation orother symbol on the outer bifurcated arm is now in plain view.

It should be noted that other arrangements could be made that fallwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example,the fasteners could be located on opposite sides of the bifurcated armsfor a different formation for the slot, or one portion of the fasteneron the top surface and one portion on the bottom surface or vice versa.The fastening means may include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, a buttonand button hole, hooks, stick pins, magnets, a zipper or any other knownfasteners.

Although the present invention has been described with respect tospecific details, it is not intended that such details should beregarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to theextent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

1. A scarf to be worn around the neck of a wearer comprising: anelongated piece of material having a first end portion, a middle portionand a second end portion; the second end portion having a pair ofbifurcated arms, whereby when the middle portion is placed around theuser's neck, the end portions extend downwardly from either side of theneck and the bifurcated arms can be positioned over and under the firstend portion forming a slot that holds the scarf around the neck of thewearer.
 2. A scarf according to claim 1 wherein end portions of the armsinclude means for fastening the arms together thereby forming a slot. 3.A scarf according to claim 2 wherein the end portions of the bifurcatedarms also include ornamental material.
 4. A scarf according to claim 2wherein the means for fastening the arms together comprise a hook andloop fastener, snaps, a button and button hold, hooks, a stick pin,magnets or a zipper.